Clonmel High School win Tipperary derby in Munster Schools hurling quarter-final
Clonmel school proved too strong for Coláiste Mhuire of Thurles
Clonmel High School 5-16 Coláiste Mhuire Thurles 3-9
The High School Clonmel advanced to the last four of the TUS Corn Thomais Mhic Choilm, Munster B Senior Hurling Championship for the third year running with a 5-16 to 3-9 win over fellow Tipperary school Coláiste Mhuire of Thurles in an open, fluid game of hurling played on the 4G surface at Fethard Town Park.
A blistering opening seven minutes saw the net rattled at both ends of the pitch, as a speculative free into the High School large square was pulled on to the net to give Coláiste Mhuire the dream start, as they led 1-1 to no score.
However, in an almost instant reply, Conall Morrisson struck the South Tipp’s school goal, followed up by a point by Ben Roche to see the sides level after a frantic start.
The goalscoring continued as, by the 15th minute, the High School had breached the Thurles defence twice more, raising two more green flags to leave the scoreline reading 3-3 to 1-4.
By half-time, it was these goals that were the difference, as the High School led 3-7 to 1-7 having played against the elements in the opening half.
A strong third quarter from the High School saw them extend their lead by the 45th minute, with St Mary’s player Harry Lawlor striking to the net and with 10 minutes to play, the Clonmel school had a 15-point advantage.
To Coláiste Mhuire’s credit, they battled hard and showed great resilience, as they struck goals in the 55th and 58th minutes, as the High School defence looked under pressure. But Clonmel responded with a flurry of late points to finish up as deserving winners on a scoreline of 5-16 to 3-9.
The High School now face another Tipperary rival in the Abbey CBS of Tipperary town in the semi-final.
The Abbey had a facile win over St Joseph’s Borrisoleigh, conceding only four points throughout the 60 minutes in a 3-28 to 0-4 win.
There will need to be a vast improvement from the High School if they are to compete and progress to a second Munster Final in a row.
Clonmel High School Panel: Michael Bates, Finn Napier, Dara Beckett, Cailean O'Dea, Peter Boland, Max O'Dwyer, Fergal Bradshaw, Jamie O’Keeffe, Darragh Butler, Michael O’Reilly, Aaron Cagney, Rory O’Reilly, Louis Carroll, Oísín O’Reilly, Enda Condon, Ben Roche, Kieran Fanning, Colin Roche, Conor Freaney, Andrew Ryan, Ben Fuller, David Ryan, Luke Hannigan, Paudie Ryan, Eoin Hannon, Paddy Spelman, Harry Lawlor, Conor Walsh, Aaron McAndrew, Jamal Yousif, Alex McCabe, Sean McMenamin, Mikey McGuire, Jack Duggan, Tadhg McGuire, Joe Franklin, Aidan McMaugh, Cian Flaherty, Micheál McMaugh, David McSweeney, Bríain Morrisson, Conall Morrisson.